Ok so that’s more than one question. In Auckland most bikes are located in Hillcrest on the North Shore across the harbour from the city centre, about 5 – 10 minutes and NZ $25 in a taxi. The Harleys are usually kept 2km south of the city in Grafton. In Christchurch the depot is in Sydenham just a few minutes south of the city centre and from any of the main hotels. Exact details will be provided on your booking confirmation.

The airport is 20 – 25 minutes south of the city centre and approximately NZ$ 50 in a taxi which wait directly outside the terminal. A good alternative is http://www.supershuttle.co.nz. It’s a low cost shared taxi service which is cheaper than a standard taxi but may take a little longer to get you to your hotel as it’s a shared service and so may drop others before you on the way. It’s best to book in advance but the shuttle is directly outside each airport and if they aren’t full you can jump on there and then.

You are welcome to leave your luggage at the depot during your trip and there is no charge. We’d be pleased to arrange shipping to another depot if you are finishing in another city. Charges are at our cost price. We’ll take good care of your precious. A ‘standard’ suitcased would normally cost NZ$ 50.00 to ship between Christchurch and Auckland or vice-versa.

Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Sunday is by appointment only.

Rentals of 5 days or fewer have an included allowance of 350km per day. If you ride further than that, excess kilometres are charged at 30 cents per kilometre. Rentals of 6 days and more have an unlimited kilometre allowance included, so you can ride as far and roam as free as you like.

Good quality helmets, jackets, gloves, trousers, boots and wet weather gear can all be rented from both Auckland or Christchurch, but if you are on a longer trip it is often more comfortable to bring your own equipment. No guarantees are made for riding gear and it is rented at your own risk. Prices for the clothing can be seen on the motorcycle rentals page.

If you are renting a Harley Davidson motorcycle we are able to offer the use of helmets, jackets, gloves and wet weather gear for both rider and pillion passenger at a cost of NZ$ 2.00 per item per day. Subject to availability of course.

There are a limited number of Sat-nav and GPS units available to rent in both Auckland and Christchurch. Prices can be seen in the equipment section of the motorcycle rentals page. If you would like to bring your own GPS unit and mount then there is a one-off fitting charge of NZ$ 25.00 if you require assistance with this.

The security bond is pre-authorised on your credit card and expires upon safe return of the undamaged bike. The insurance excess is equal to the security bond and is the most you would have to pay in the event of an accident. If the damage is only NZ$100, for example, then that’s all you pay but if the damage is NZ$5,000 and the excess is NZ$3,000 you would be liable for NZ$3,000 and the insurance pays the remainder of NZ$2,000. For rentals of 7 days or longer you can add a ‘collision damage waiver’. This reduces the excess in the event that you were to hit another vehicle. The cost is between NZ$15 and NZ$30 per day, depending on the specific bike you’re renting. If you are interested in the collision damage waiver or need more information then please just ask.

Yes. A lock is supplied and should be used every time you leave the bike. Bike theft in New Zealand is quite uncommon, but it always pays to be prepared!

Not as standard, no. Puncture repair and tyre inflation kits are available for NZ$ 20.00 per rental.

Yes, one way rentals between Auckland and Christchurch or vice versa can easily be accommodated. Depending on the specific bike and length of rental period there may be a one way fee applicable. Generally though, rentals over 14 days in length attract no one-way fees at all. Please ask for more details.

Check with your phone company to see if they can turn on roaming allowing you to use your phone in New Zealand. It may be cheaper to buy a SIM card for your phone here (mobile phone shops are everywhere and SIM cards start at NZ$30). Mobile phones obtain a signal in almost all towns but outside of towns it can be patchy and you can expect almost none if venturing into mountain passes and along more remote alpine roads.

The depot will provide you with a National Breakdown recovery number, but you should first try and talk to the depot in case it is something simple they can fix over the phone. The best solution to a serious problem depends on where you are and what the problem is. The depot will do everything they can to get you moving again and this is usually within 24 hours. It may involve a repair, replacement bike or alternative transport but the priority is to allow you to continue your trip. Specific terms and conditions apply to self guided tours including accommodation, which can be found on the relevant tour section of this site.

Most of New Zealand is blissfully free of toll roads, but there are a few you should be aware of. On the North Island the Northern Gateway Toll Road is a 7.5km motorway extension just north of Auckland. Heading north the toll road begins just before Orewa and ends after the Johnstone Hills near Puhoi. The toll road gives you a choice between a more direct route or the scenic State Highway 17 via Orewa. The NZ Transport Agency recently announced that as of mid-2010 motorcycles will be subject to the same toll as cars using the road, currently set at NZ$2 per trip. The South Island by contrast is (currently) entirely toll-road free!

One does not simply ride in to Mordor. Well, actually you can almost ride into it by visiting the Tongariro National Park on the North Island; this spectacular region played the part of the realm of Sauron in the Lord of the Rings trilogy of films. He’s not there anymore thanks to a filthy Hobbits, so it’s safe to visit and offers some truly epic scenery to be experienced from the back of a bike or on foot.